As a some of you may know I have a very friendly dog. She usually runs up to anybody and wants to lick them in the face. This morning I was outside with her to do her morning thing and a neighbor couple walked by. They came over to say hello and totally out of character my dog backed away. The man produced a dog biscuit he kept to ward off hostile dogs and she refused to take it. What I am wondering is should I be wary of these people. My dog almost never behaves this way. Or am I reading too much into it?

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

As a some of you may know I have a very friendly dog. She usually runs up to anybody and wants to lick them in the face. This morning I was outside with her to do her morning thing and a neighbor couple walked by. They came over to say hello and totally out of character my dog backed away. The man produced a dog biscuit he kept to ward off hostile dogs and she refused to take it. What I am wondering is should I be wary of these people. My dog almost never behaves this way. Or am I reading too much into it?

Maybe your dog smelled a cat's scent or maybe fear, that's My guess.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Never trust a person your dog doesn't trust.

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Has your dog ever met them before? Perhaps unknown to you where they might have chased him away?

Yes, I think it is very possible your dog is giving you a warning. Perhaps it only applies if you are a dog though, e.g. some scent that is foul to a dog, but not noticeable to a human. I've also heard cases when animals can smell cancer and other things, so the warning may be to them.

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I think animals definitely have a sixth sense, but it's hard to get in their heads and figure out what they seem to sense that we don't. I've had house rabbits for twelve years, and occasionally they'll thump their feet for seemingly no reason to me, but something's going on with their senses.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I think animals definitely have a sixth sense, but it's hard to get in their heads and figure out what they seem to sense that we don't. I've had house rabbits for twelve years, and occasionally they'll thump their feet for seemingly no reason to me, but something's going on with their senses.

Maybe they detect a small earthquake? Something below 2.5.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I think animals definitely have a sixth sense, but it's hard to get in their heads and figure out what they seem to sense that we don't. I've had house rabbits for twelve years, and occasionally they'll thump their feet for seemingly no reason to me, but something's going on with their senses.

Maybe they detect a small earthquake? Something below 2.5.

Possibly. Rabbits aren't very social with strange humans, but they reserve thumping for something more life-threatening. It's a signal for other rabbits, and if one of mine does it, the other one eventually follows suit.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

If her hackles weren't up at all, and there was no obvious reason for her to sense danger from their behaviour, then I'd say it's most probably something as mundane as detecting cigarette smoke, moth balls, alcohol or something else she doesn't have at least some passing experience of. If there was tension between the two of them, that could also leave her unsure of them.

I'm assuming she's not a rescue dog? Working out their past from their now is never easy and false negatives about people yet to gain their trust can abound.

I would say don't worry. She may be all over them next time you see them :) But it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

edit: let us know how things develop :) I'm fascinated with trying to understand the world our furry friends have locked away from us

.... They came over to say hello and totally out of character my dog backed away. The man produced a dog biscuit he kept to ward off hostile dogs and she refused to take it. ...

If your dog hasn't done this before (in the last year let's say) in a similar situation then perhaps your movements and ways have changed and your dog is picking up on that.

The idea of someone who carries dog biscuits to ward off 'hostile' dogs to me is rather bizaar. (It's quite like carrying a gun or a thousand dollar bill to ward off a villain or gunman??? - It's unlikely to help unless you have a poisened biscuit or are good with a bullet..)


Maybe you have just become wary and your dog is not telling you anything but simply following you.

... or perhaps your dog just doesn't want to eat some smelly stranger's old pocket biscuits...

All us mammals go through life changes.

.. best thing is to ask your dog and do what it would do..

.... not think as a human ..

just be...

Sounds like you have a great dog...

.

... or perhaps your dog just doesn't want to eat some smelly stranger's old pocket biscuits...

LOL, I was thinking the same thing.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Usually when I am outside with my dog and a neighbor walks by I have to hold her back to keep her from trying to jump up and lick their faces. She likes the postman and the FedEx delivery driver and snatches the dog biscuits they often bring her. At the dog park she goes up to everyone seeking attention. This was the first time I have seen her react negatively to anyone. She even likes the park manager whom I have issues with.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

This was the first time I have seen her react negatively to anyone. She even likes the park manager whom I have issues with.

So she's been wrong before? ;) just teasing

It does sound like she thinks she has a good reason. There's no harm in respecting that. I do hope she's mistaken though, because good neighbours can be difficult to live without, but trust her for the time being.

edit: one other thought. People not used to dogs can frequently make the mistake of making really quite ferocious eye contact (in dog-speak) They think they're safer keeping their eyes fixed on the dogs, whereas you're almost always safer and less antagonistic in demeanour, sliding your eyes away and down, or not making eye contact at all on first meeting. Body language error in the too keen but nervous perhaps? It may account for why they have to leave the house with a catering pack of dog treats as appeasements (or if that fails, distractions as they attempt a hasty return to the trees).

The idea of someone who carries dog biscuits to ward off 'hostile' dogs to me is rather bizaar. (It's quite like carrying a gun or a thousand dollar bill to ward off a villain or gunman??? - It's unlikely to help unless you have a poisened biscuit or are good with a bullet..)

Lots of field workers like postal workers, utility meter readers carry dog biscuits just to name a few. As a 45 year utility worker I can back that up. We always had a box on the truck. The dog biscuits went a long way in preventing problems.

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Lots of field workers like postal workers, utility meter readers carry dog biscuits just to name a few. As a 45 year utility worker I can back that up. We always had a box on the truck. The dog biscuits went a long way in preventing problems....

As a public worker or someone with a duty or belief in service I do not think anyone should ever put themselves in danger.

If duty, honour or law requires you to proceed then that is what animal control, police, courts or armed service are for. (That or send your manager in first.)

Animals can be noisey but nibbles and biscuits should be a treat for those who behaive sociably.

If you give an animal a treat when it is being aggressive or anti-social it may give you a moment whilst it eats the bicy (rather than you) but by nature you just encourage it to behaive the same next time.

You build a yolk for yourself as well as for the creature.

This thread is about something else... (A person who is responsible for their dog even if it is having a moment.)


I love my postal and public workers.

If I never wanted to recieve mail or service I would set the dogs on them :)~

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Never trust a person your dog doesn't trust.

+1

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~Sue~